Pure Adds HD to the Flip Ultra Line

Pure Digital added a new HD model to its Flip Ultra line today and refreshed the standard definition version of the popular portable video camera. Take a look at the new device with this brief hands-on demo we shot (an example of the HD footage after the jump).

8GB of built-in memory capable of capturing up to 120 minutes of video

Dimensions: 4.25″ x 2.19″ x 1.17″

Bigger, 2 inch, no-glare screen

16:9 widescreen, HD 720p (1280×720) video at 30 fps progressive scan

The Flip Ultra was the predecessor to the super-thin Flip Mino and Flip Mino HD. The Minos are nice because they have a rechargeable battery, but those batteries were locked into the camera. The new Flip Ultras bridge the old and the new by including a set of rechargeable AA batteries, but they can be removed and replaced with standard batteries if need be.

The new Flip Ultra HD also now has an HDMI output, so you can watch your high-definition home movies directly on your HD TV (cable sold separately; you have to use the HDMI cables that have a Type A connector on one end and a Type C connector on the other).

The new Flip Ultra HD will set you back $200. For comparison, the Flip Mino HD, capable of recording an hour of footage, sells for $200 on Amazon right now. I like the form factor of the bigger Ultra and the push buttons, so the Ultra HD is a welcome addition for me. But this new Ultra is actually slightly bigger than the previous Ultra, which may turn off people looking for a slim video camera.

Not to be left out, Pure also gave a refresh to its standard-definition Ultra video camera. The SD model has 640 x 480 resolution, records two hours on 4GB built-in memory, has the 2-inch no-glare screen and sells for $149.